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Volvo S40Model year report

2003 Volvo S40 Problems

Complaints
18filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
85,106miles, 9 complaints with mileage
Recalls
2campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
22 mpgcombined, 1.9L 4-cyl FWD · 19 city / 27 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2003 Volvo S40 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 18 consumer complaints for the 2003 Volvo S40. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 6 complaints (33% of the total), followed by electrical system (3) and fuel system (3). 9 of the complaints include a mileage, and 33% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 85,106 miles. Of all complaints, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 156 technical service bulletins for this model year. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 49 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Transmission and drivetrain: “My 2003 Volvo S40 has been driven fewer than 70,000 miles. All Volvo recommended service has been performed by certified mechanics and is documented. My Volvo dealer determined that the transmission had to be replaced. It is not at all reasonable to have a catastrophic transmission failure at only 70, 000 miles. I feel Volvo should be responsible for at least the cost of the replacement transmission. In addition to the cost and inconvenience, this transmission failure presented a hazard that could have resulted in a serious accident. …”

NHTSA complaint #10369952, filed 2010-12, 69,650 miles

Electrical system: “I returned to my car and found that I could not turn the ignition switch and as a result of the security system my car was totally inoperative. The car had to be towed to the nearest dealer, where it was diagnosed with a broken ignition switch, specifically the device that reads the chip in the key has failed and will not accept any key. Currently the car has been sitting at the dealer for over 4 weeks. Because the keys and switches are matched we cannot get an after-market replacement switch. …”

NHTSA complaint #10496925, filed 2013-02, 125,000 miles

Fuel system: “I was driving when the car start to accelerated by itself, accel pedal went to the floor. I could not keep a car even by the hand brake, so as it was jumping ahead. Then the car began to blow black and white smoke out under the hood. Some how I turn off the engine, took the key and run away from the car in the middle of the traffic road. Green liquid under the car. It died on the road. Police came, the car towed. …”

NHTSA complaint #10348314, filed 2010-08, 85,106 miles

Suspension: “The rear strut/shocks continue to break/crack over and over. I have gone through 3 new struts and shocks and they continue to break. I also have gone to the junkyard and all of the S40 and v40's have all of their struts/shocks broken. I've witnessed over 6 S40 or v40's like this now. My car has failed inspection because of this and it is a safety concern. It seems this is a common issue on every S40 and v40 from the years 2001-2004. It's absolutely ridiculous that these struts/shocks continue to break. There should definitely be a recall.”

NHTSA complaint #11156873, filed 2018-12, 120,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

33% of the 9 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 48,000 and 108,000 miles.

22%0–100%10–2511%25–5011%50–7522%75–10033%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (9 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 85,106 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

200442006201020132021
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2003 Volvo S40 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
S40 FWD1.9L 4-cyl5-speed automatic192722$3,750

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2003 Volvo S40 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 156 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 156 bulletins →

Other model years of the Volvo S40

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2011599,5002—24—Not enough data
2010976,0002—24—Not enough data
20091065,0003—23—Not enough data
20081675,2652—23—Falling
20072557,5002—22Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20065875,0003—22Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20056976,5003—22Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20044864,0006—22Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20031885,1062—22—Falling
20022745,0001—22Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20018467,0002—23Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200012273,4581—21Not compared (before 2008)Falling

All Volvo S40 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2003 Volvo S40 have?

NHTSA recorded 18 consumer complaints for the 2003 Volvo S40 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2003 Volvo S40 is reported most often?

Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 6 complaints (33% of the total), followed by electrical system with 3.

Has the 2003 Volvo S40 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2003 Volvo S40 get?

The EPA rates the 2003 Volvo S40 (S40 FWD, 1.9L 4-cyl) at 22 mpg combined, 19 city and 27 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,750 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2003 Volvo S40 reported?

Among the 9 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 85,106 miles and the middle half falls between 48,000 and 108,000 miles; 33% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.